Wells, Somerset: Difference between revisions

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Template:Infobox England place with map Wells is a small city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, nestling in the Mendip Hills

The name Wells is due to the three famous wells situated in the centre, one in the market place and two within the grounds of the Bishop's Palace and cathedral

England's smallest city

It is England's smallest city with a population of around 10,000. It is the second smallest city in he UK after a city in Wales, St. Davids, and the third smallest city in the world (the smallest city in the world being in America)

Cathederal

Wells is officially classed as a city because it has a cathedral. With parts of it dating back to the 10th century, and with its fine fan vaulted ceilings, Lady Chapel and windows, and famous scissor arch of the west facade, make it one of the most beautiful in the country. It is one of the biggest Catherderals in the southwest, and costs £2,500 a day to maintain. Together with the Bishop's Palace (still used by the bishop) Wells has been an ecclesiastical town of considerable importance for hundreds of years

History

During the English Civil War, Parliamentarian troops used the Cathedral to stable their horses and damaged much of the ornate sculpture by using it for firing practice. William Penn is said to have passed through Wells shortly before leaving for America, spending a night at The Crown Inn.

PoW Camp

During World War II, Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing Italian prisoners from the Western Desert Campaign, and later German prisoners post the Battle of Normandy

Today

Following construction of the A39/A371 bypass, Wells has returned to being a plesant market town situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills. It has all the modern convieniences plus charm, interesting shops, snug hotels and decent restaurants who recognise the value and are used to serving tourists

Tourism

Wells is a popular tourist destination, due to having several historical sites and also its proximity to Bath, Stonehenge and other popular sites. Also located nearby is the Wookey Hole cave system and the Somerset Levels. Wells is also part of the West Country Carnival circuit. Somerset cheese is made locally.

Bishops Palace - the medieval Palace has been the home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years. There are 14 acres of gardens including the springs from which the city takes its name. Visitors can also see the Bishop's private Chapel, ruined Great Hall and the Gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge beside which the famous mute swans ring a bell for food
Vicars Close - the oldest existing street in the world, which still has the original cobblestoned surface.

Politics

Wells is a council in its own right, and sits in the Somerset district of Mendip. Wells UK Parliamentary representative is traditionally Conservative, and is presently David Heathcoat Amory [1]

Trivia

Elizabeth Goudge used Wells as a basis for the fictional Cathedral city of Torminster, in her book City of Bells

Accomodation

Infield House B&B

Template:English Cities

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 ===PoW Camp===
-During [[World War II]], Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing [[Italy|Italian]] prisoners from the [[Western Desert Campaign]], and later German prisoners post the [[Battle of Normandy]].
+During [[World War II]], Stoberry Park in Wells was the location of a Prisioner of War camp during. Initially housing [[Italy|Italian]] prisoners from the [[Western Desert Campaign]], and later German prisoners post the [[Battle of Normandy]]
+===Today===
+Following construction of the A39/A371 bypass, Wells has returned to being a plesant market town situated at the foot of the Mendip Hills. It has all the modern convieniences plus charm, interesting shops, snug hotels and decent restaurants who recognise the value and are used to serving tourists
 ==Tourism==